Meet The Faculty
/prod01/channel_2/media/mccms/content-assets/academics/residencies-and-fellowships/otolaryngology---head-and-neck-surgery-res-mn/department-and-faculty/mccms-otolaryngology-head-neck-surgery-residency-3893882-0021-hero-tablet.jpg)
The Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Mayo Clinic is one of the largest groups in this specialty in the world. The department handles more than 80,000 patient visits a year and performs approximately:
- 2,000 head and neck surgical procedures
- 1,800 otologic surgical procedures
- 1,000 outpatient operative procedures
- 1,500 rhinologic and sinus procedures
The department performs all of its own reconstructive surgery.
At Mayo Clinic, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology is divided into experts in the specialties of:
- Otology and neurotology
- Head and neck cancer surgery
- Pediatric otorhinolaryngology
- Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Rhinology and skull base surgery
- Laryngology
- General otorhinolaryngology
- Sleep surgery
Department members collaborate with other specialists in audiology, speech and swallowing therapy, ophthalmology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, dermatology, allergy and immunology, pulmonary medicine, and oncology. Through this collaboration, the department offers comprehensive and excellent care for pediatric and adult patients with disorders involving the head and neck.
From the program director
When I think of what defines our residency program, the strongest themes that come to mind are surgical excellence, patient-centered care, teamwork, and community. Our institution’s commitment to putting the needs of the patient first shapes everything we do, from clinical care and research to resident education. This culture is the foundation of how we train, mentor, and support our residents. Yet despite all of its traditions, both institution and department wide, we continually push to find innovative ways to educate in and out of the operating room.
Our apprenticeship model provides unparalleled surgical training through close faculty mentorship, graduated autonomy, and broad clinical experiences. Residents benefit from state-of-the-art surgical resources such as simulation centers, anatomy lab with easy cadaver access, temporal bone lab, as well as robotic, laryngeal, and microvascular trainers and AI-supported learning resources. That in addition to multidisciplinary collaboration, robust research support, opportunities to pursue individualized interests through electives, a one-of-a-kind community outreach clinic, and global health experience makes this a unique program to train in.
Most importantly, we value creating a positive learning environment for residents from a variety of backgrounds. During my seven years as Associate Program Director and now as Program Director, I have come to know and love each and every one of our residents. One of the greatest privileges is watching a resident grow from an intern into a confident, independent surgeon and compassionate leader. We strive to provide a challenging, supportive environment where residents can achieve their fullest potential. We look to recruit residents with a passion for Otolaryngology who look to become the best surgeons they can be, no matter if their future career is in academia or serving their local community. I am proud of our program and the colleagues I work alongside everyday who have such an authentic commitment to educating the future of medicine and to patient care. We welcome you to learn more about us and discover what makes training at Mayo Clinic unique.
Semirra Bayan, M.D.
Program Director
From the associate program director
Medical education is one of Mayo Clinic’s most important priorities, and I consider it a privilege to help carry that mission forward as Associate Program Director. Having trained at Mayo myself, I experienced firsthand the value of an apprenticeship model built on close faculty mentorship, progressive responsibility, and a shared commitment to excellence. What continues to distinguish our program is the genuine investment of our entire department in resident education; our faculty take a personal interest in knowing each resident and helping them grow.
I believe the best education begins by meeting residents where they are—recognizing their individual strengths, identifying opportunities for growth, and providing the right balance of support, challenge, and autonomy at each stage of training. Our goal is not simply to teach residents how to perform operations, but to help them develop the judgment, technical skill, adaptability, and compassion required to become outstanding otolaryngologists. No two residents develop in exactly the same way, and one of the most rewarding aspects of medical education is watching each resident develop their own confidence and identity as a surgeon. I am proud to work alongside colleagues who view educating the next generation as an important, shared responsibility and who are deeply committed to helping every resident become the best surgeon and physician they can be.
Michael D. Olson, M.D., M.S.
Associate Program Director
Faculty
In addition to caring for patients in their clinical practices, Mayo Clinic's faculty members are committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are well-regarded in their fields. Residents have direct access to these individuals throughout the training program.
Learn about the faculty you may work with in each specialty area of otolaryngology at Mayo Clinic.
Facial Plastics/Reconstructive Surgery/Sleep Surgery
 |
Grant Hamilton, III, M.D.Division Chair |
 |
Michael Olson, M.D., M.S.Associate Program Director Fellowship: Texas Facial Plastic and ENT View PubMed |
 |
Jacob Dey, M.D.Fellowship: Johns Hopkins Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery View PubMed |
Head and Neck Surgery
 |
Eric Moore, M.D.Department Chair Fellowship: Mayo Foundation Scholar View Publications |
 |
Daniel Price, M.D.Division Chair Fellowship: Memorial Sloan-Ketterling View Publications |
 |
Kendall Tasche, M.D.Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania View PubMed |
-M.-Van-Abel,-M.D.-15359387.jpg) |
Katie Van Abel, M.D.Fellowship: Mayo Clinic |
 |
Linda Yin, M.D.Fellowship: University of Michigan |
Laryngology
 |
Dale Ekbom, M.D.Division Chair Fellowship: Vanderbilt University View PubMed |
 |
Semirra Bayan, M.D.Program Director Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital |
 |
Diana Orbelo, Ph.D.Post doctoral fellowship: Mayo Clinic Rochester View Publications |
Otology/Neurotology
 |
Matthew Carlson, M.D.Fellowship Program Director Fellowship: Vanderbilt University View Publications |
|
 |
Jim Dornhoffer, M.D.Fellowship: Mayo Clinic |
|
 |
Colin Driscoll, M.D.Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco View Publications |
|
 |
Brian Neff, M.D.Fellowship: Ohio State University View Publications |
|
 |
Aniket Saoji, Ph.D.Undergraduate: All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, India View Publications |
Pediatric Otolaryngology
 |
Joshua Wiedermann, M.D.Division Chair Fellowship: Victoria Hospital, Western University |
 |
Shelagh Cofer, M.D.Fellowship: University of Minnesota |
 |
Laura Orvidas, M.D.Fellowship: Dana Thompson, M.D., M.S. View PubMed |
Rhinology
 |
Jake Eide, M.D.Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania |
 |
Rijul Kshirsagar, M.D.Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania |
 |
Erin O'Brien, M.D.Division Chair Fellowship: University of Nebraska |
 |
Janalee Stokken, M.D.Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic |
General ENT
 |
Sharon Libi, M.D.Residency: Mayo Clinic Rochester View Publications |
 |
Fareeda Taher Nazer Hussain, M.D.Residency: University of Minnesota |
View the complete list of otolaryngology consultants at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States.
View a complete list of all of our otolaryngology consultants that you may work with while training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Advisers and mentors
Each resident is assigned a staff mentor to review progress and career goals. Mentors meet with trainees periodically throughout the entire residency program to ensure that their educational needs are being met.
Visiting professors
The Voices in Otolaryngology Visiting Professorship is dedicated to highlighting forward-thinking work being done in our field and improving career advancement and networking opportunities for practicing academic otolaryngologists who are traditionally underrepresented in otolaryngology. This event is held three times per year, with one in-person event in the fall and two Zoom events in November and February.